AWL Defines Return
At African Women’s Lobby (AWL), return refers to the process of ensuring that returnees—whether migrants, refugees, or displaced persons—can reintegrate into their home country or region with their rights, safety, and well-being upheld. It means they are not forced into unsafe conditions, exposed to discrimination, or left struggling with economic and social reintegration —return is about rebuilding lives with dignity, security, and opportunity. AWL defines return as a human-centered process where returnees—whether migrants, refugees, or displaced persons—are empowered, not abandoned.
A truly dignified return means that returnees:
✅ Have their rights, safety, and well-being protected
✅ Are not forced into unsafe conditions or economic hardship
✅ Receive access to housing, education, healthcare, and employment
✅ Are recognized, and included in society ensuring that they are welcomed, respected, and given opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity.
AWL’s Impact
AWL’s office in South Sudan stands as a powerful example of African own dignified return and sustainable development in action. By supporting returnees and survivors of migration—many of whom were neglected and left without help. AWL has provided not only life-saving intervention but also long-term empowerment.
Many returnees faced extreme hopelessness, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts due to the lack of support and recognition. Without AWL’s intervention, many would not have survived. AWL stepped in, offering direct assistance, mentorship, and opportunities—giving returnees a reason to keep going.
From Despair to Leadership – Stories of many like Atem Ngor’s, who went from battling suicidal thoughts to becoming a professional lawyer, demonstrate that with the right support, returnees can thrive, contribute to society, and reclaim their dignity.
The fact that returnees themselves now run AWL’s office in South Sudan is a testament to AWL’s empowerment model. It proves that returnees are not just beneficiaries; they are leaders and changemakers—using their knowledge, experiences, and resilience to uplift others.
It is time for multinational organisations, governments, and institutions to acknowledge that migration is not just about departure and arrival—it is also about what happens when people return. True dignified return must be a human right.
Despite AWL’s tireless efforts, the lack of international and local support remains a critical issue. This raises an important question: Should African countries halt all their multilateral engagements and instead focus solely on Diaspora investment as a primary strategy for sustainable development? This question is up for debate.
AWL is proving that returnees can lead, build, and transform their communities—but they cannot do it alone. We urge partners, donors, and decision-makers to support AWL’s work so that more returnees can move from despair to empowerment, from exclusion to leadership, and from survival to transformation.
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